Wasn't sure what to have for breakfast - all my training was done in the afternoon. Settled for a banana and a PowerBar. No parking near race start, so had to lug gear bags a mile or so. Got marked, got into wetsuit, took some pictures with my brother.

Carrying gear to start.

Great swim for me. Got some drafting on the first lap. Very sunny, strong glare on second lap, so I zigzagged quite a bit. Started in the middle, so got swum over a bunch at first.

Start further back, avoid collisions. Improve swim line. Learn bi-lateral breathing.

Took my time. Full change (bike shorts, top). Mom & Bro wanted pics.

DO NOT SCARFF A PB&J!!!! Training: a bite or two; race: scarf in 10 secs. BAD IDEA! Stomach shut down at mile 10, and I was toast after that. No food in T1, or maybe just a gel. Probably won't use wetsuit strippers, since grass on back bugged me.

2nd lap hell - cramping at mile 80. Rested at 82, then stretched at 90, then flat tire. Walked up Sugarloaf, got a pump, and sssss. Changed twice more - sssss... Crud. Rode on flat tire for last 20 miles. That killed my legs. Plus, exerting too hard to eat or drink, so was toast for run.

Know your gear. Borrowed bike for race. Spare tubes and CO2 _looked_ good, but I didn't check them. Were they good, or old? Dropped CO2 valve at mi 5, so had to ride a bit on flat to get to sugarloaf and a pump. (That probably horked the rim, which caused other 3 flats). Should've checked tubes before. Also, carry a pump - I'm not so fast that aero will suffer.

Also, started out too hard. Would've done maybe 2:50 and 3:15 splits, which also means slower run. So, go out easier.

Also, drink more, plus salt tabs. If stomach shuts down, stop for 10 min.

Also, when hot, use lightest bike jersey. Went with GFT logo top (because first tri), but it was black and had sleeves - too hot for Fla. Should've used lightest, sleeveless.

Coasted on bike last 100 yards, talking to bro. Toast from the ride, so tran wasn't bad. Took some time in the tent to recover. Good humor - "what else can I do?"

Try out number belt.

I was toast before the run started. Some cramping, then grinding (20 mi flats) on bike. Did not eat/drink on bike. Jogged first 1/2 mi, then walked Hospital Hill. Side stitch from mi 2-5. Legs near cramping from mi 2-10. Met up with Wayne at mi 8. Began run 5 min, walk 5 min. Started improving. Took an e-cap, some salt, and really took off. Broth at mi 12 was wonderful. Mi 10-20 were best. Was improving over this part. Took sips of broth, water, and gatorade each stop. After 20, Wayne started pushing, to run 6/walk 4, and that brought me back down. Stomach started feeling bloated by mi 21, so couldn't take anything. Wayne left me at mi 23 (I assured him I'd finish). Took some water at 24, and wife Katy found me at 25. Took watermelon (so hungry, even though bloated). Walked most of mile, but ran last 200 yds.

Find some time to recover. Bike killed me - legs cramped and stomach shut down. Jog and walk first 2 mi was ok, but then should've really pulled it back to get some recovery. Maybe walk slower? Even taking half an hour to get my stomach back would've helped in long run. I needed to eat/drink, but couldn't, so got more dehydrated, etc. If in bad cycle, need to adjust, take a break to recover.

Puked at med tent. (Watermelon made it red, which was fun) Puked at transition area getting gear. Puked on Fla turnpike (fun).

Stomach - unlike training, I scarfed the PB&J at T1, and that plus going hard shut my stomach down. Next time, have a gel in T1, then do nutrition as planned - gel or liquid.

4 Flat tires - managed to grind 20 miles on flat tire, but that killed my legs, and didn't allow my stomach to recover.

Volunteers were great. Transitions were great.
Race was exceptionally well organized, except:
1) No bike support. I spent 3+ hours on course with flats. I know I'm supposed to be "individually responsible" for my gear, but I expect some help after a while. Others had similar experience. One guy was offered Sag wagon at 5:30, but 45 riders were waiting. Youch.
2) Med tent. I puked in front of the med van, but no IV? "He looks ok", then they took off (because course was closing). Some guy came in after me, and just sat there in a daze, with no med around.